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adoption

I wrote a prayer for JT and I to pray together before the launch of our adoption fundraiser site. Like always, I thought it would just be something we’d pray together and I would keep it in my prayer journal. But as the hours have passed, I thought it might be a good idea to share bits of it, but before I do I wanted to share something else with you that prompted this post.

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As much as I hate to bring this up right here in the beginning and somewhat speak it over us, I just have to tell you how God is speaking to me through it all so far. We have been told by other believing families who have been through adoption that there would be warfare. I mean, let’s just look at the facts — God loves adoption…His Word says so. And anything He loves the enemy hates and will try his same ole tricks to destroy. So many negative thoughts started entering my mind the past couple of days. Thoughts I won’t even speak in this post, but I know what we’re up against and the truth of the matter is that we have spiritual weapons to fight. Before I share parts of our prayer, I wanted to share what was revealed to me when reading Acts 16 tonight. It’s the story of Paul and Silas in prison. They were striped and beaten with rods and then thrown into prison. They were locked in the innermost cell and their feet were fastened in the stocks. Imagine this scene. Imagine the horror and pain and struggle. Imagine it all and then read what comes next…..

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“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But, Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household.”

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This all means so much to me right now that I don’t know if I can accurately put it into words. First of all, in the midst of their pain they sang and prayed. This was huge because it showed the other prisoners Jesus. How thankful I am that we are walking a journey called adoption that will show our children and others Jesus. Next time the lies enter my mind…especially when the really major struggles come and I want to give up and believe the lie that adoption isn’t going to work out for our family….I ask that God promptly put this story back into my mind. Then, I must choose to pray and sing of Him and believe that it WILL happen. Not only that, but believe the heart impact it will have on others. Especially my children. It will show others and our children Jesus like never before. When the world says they don’t understand why we’d want to do such a thing to our children, I will remember just how much it will show them Jesus. Secondly, it states you “and your households will be saved”. Lord, please help me remember that our whole household is saved. Not matter what our new daughter’s past held….no matter how dark…..Your truth and light trumps darkness. We all know what happens when one sheds light on darkness. It scatters.

Dear Heavenly Father,

John Taylor and I come to Your throne of grace with praise and thanksgiving. We praise You for all You have done in our life, thank You for laying adoption on our hearts, and thank You for guiding the way. We still don’t know how all the details will play out, but we are trusting You with all of our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. We believe that You meant for us to do this and believe You will provide a way. When we grow weary, remind us of Your promises and give us peace….a peace that surpasses all understanding in our minds. We lean on You for our strength during this launch and through the whole process. In Jesus’ name, we shut out the noise of the enemy and he must leave in Jesus’ name. he has no place in this process and we are covered in the blood of Jesus. We stand in agreement that You will bring Grace home to us and fast. We believe that You, Father, will provide what we need to make this happen because You love orphans and adoption. We believe in jobs sent from You, the financial support we need, the answered prayers. We pray for Your will be done in our life and in hers.

Thank you, Father, for choosing us. Thank you for allowing us to walk this road together. We pray it makes our marriage and family stronger in Christ. We pray that it humbles us and shares Your love to others. We pray it shows the world Jesus. We can’t wait to watch what You do and all the miracles you work to make this happen. We are so blessed and humbled. We praise you and thank you again and again. We pray for our little girl. We pray for covering and protection for her. We bless her care-givers. We pray for the agency and people surrounding our adoption and bless them in Jesus’ name. We pray for our social worker and pray we have a deep connection with her. We pray for the provision to get our house ready for the home study and the proper funding at just the right moment in the process.

We are believing this strengthens our prayer life together as husband and wife as we grow together spiritually through this process. We stand humbled by Your grace and mercy. We give You all the glory through this process of adoption and growing our family.